Holiday safety tips for your furry friend

Can you believe it’s already Christmas Eve?! Here are some tips to keep in mind while celebrating the holidays with your human, and furry family members! 

Tinsel 

• Tinsel is a big “no-no” for your furry friend. Cats and dogs are attracted to the shiny material and if they swallow it, it can cause serious damage to their intestines. 

Christmas tree 

• Make sure your tree is secure! If it falls over on one of your furry friends, it can cause serious injuries. Check that your tree is sturdy and consider fastening it to the wall for added security. 

Holiday flowers/plants 

• Christmas flowers can be a nice addition to your home decor – but they can be deadly to your companion animals. 

• Here is a list of the most common, toxic holiday plants: 

• Poinsettias 

• Oleander 

• Morning glory 

• Holly 

• Daffodil bulbs 

• Ivy 

• Mistletoe 

• Impatiens 

• Geranium 

Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, while mistletoe and poinsettias can cause upset stomachs. It’s not worth it! Keep your furry friends safe and keep these plants out of your home. 

Holiday meals 

• We know you’re proud of the holiday meal you created – but that doesn’t mean you should share it with your companion animals. Consider keeping your companion animals in a separate and comfortable room while serving and eating your holiday meal. This will keep them from sneaking a bite! 

Alcohol 

• Just like human food, including chocolate and candy, alcoholic beverages are not meant to be consumed by your furry friends. Keep an eye on your drink and make sure to keep it out of reach. 

Other hazards: 

• Things like wires, batteries or ornaments are all part of decoration but keep them out of your companion animal’s reach. They pose a serious hazard if they are laying around. 

• If you have candles out, make sure they are never left unattended where your furry friends can get to them. Not only can a lit candle start a fire if knocked over, it can also seriously injure your furry friend. 

We hope you enjoy this holiday season with your pets! 

If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.